- First qualification event marks the start of the new Defender Trophy competition. Naoki Imamura will represent Japan at the global final in Africa, hosted with conservation partner Tusk in 2026
- More than 10,000 people worldwide have applied to take part in Defender Trophy so far, with six months of training and selection events in seven countries still to run
- Expedition-ready Defender 110 Trophy Edition met Camel Trophy legends and enthusiasts at Eastnor Castle in the UK to commemorate the historic event’s 45th
The Defender Trophy – a new kind of epic adventure with a greater purpose that marks the original British adventure brand’s return to global challenge events – has officially begun, with the first qualification event completed.
Naoki Imamura will represent Japan alongside 33 other individuals at the global final in Africa next year, hosted with Defender conservation partner Tusk.
Defender is looking for people with an unstoppable spirit of adventure to take on the Defender Trophy, a new kind of competition inspired by Trophy and Challenge events of the past. So far, more than 10,000 have applied, with more training and selection events in seven countries, including South Africa, still to run over the next six months. The South African selection events are set to kick- off on 28 November and run through to 6 December, with two exciting rounds featuring forty-eight contestants in total. To find out more about Defender Trophy – Epic Adventure, Greater Purpose visit: https://www.landrover.co.za/defender-world/purpose/defender-trophy/index.html.
Japan was the first country to host a qualifying round. Twenty-four adventurers competed over two days, testing their intellectual prowess, physical strength and communication skills. These challenges included physical tasks with obstacles, transporting and setting up equipment, constructing bridges using logs and ropes, night driving missions and ascending and descending steep slopes.
Mark Cameron, Managing Director, Defender, said: “The inaugural qualifying round of the Defender Trophy was truly outstanding. The participants embodied the spirit of Defender, pushing themselves to their limits not only physically, but also by trusting each other, assessing every situation and working in harmony with the local environment. This approach embodies the Defender brand’s ethos of ‘embracing the impossible’. Congratulations to Naoki Imamura, we are confident his efforts in the upcoming global final will have a positive influence and leave a lasting legacy.”
Meeting the legends: Defender 110 Trophy Edition
Defender Trophy is a new breed of competition, making a positive impact on the people and places it encounters. The new Defender 110 Trophy Edition will be central to the adventure. The distinctive expedition-ready 4×4 recently joined a global celebration of 45 years since the first Camel Trophy was held – an inspirational event synonymous with Defender that’s reflected in the Deep Sandglow Yellow colour exclusively created for the edition.
Land Rover Classic and Defender were proud to host the Camel Trophy Club’s 45th Anniversary event at Eastnor Castle in the UK. It gave 38 past participants and more than 200 enthusiasts of the competition an opportunity to hear about Defender Trophy first-hand and witness a historic moment as the new Defender 110 Trophy Edition and Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy led a convoy of original Camel Trophy vehicles through the Eastnor Castle estate.
A new short film on Defender’s YouTube channel featuring former Camel Trophy participants including 1989 winners Bob and Joe Ives, and 1997 competitor Karen McDonald, explains how the original Trophy spirit of adventure, camaraderie and teamwork will live on. Defender Trophy competitors will need to co-operate to navigate tough terrain, conquer extreme physical challenges and solve tactical tests – all united by a greater purpose to benefit conservation partner Tusk in Africa. The first in a series of Defender Trophy films coming to the Defender YouTube channel, watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYP4__I2Eq8
The Defender Trophy Collection
Fans of epic adventure can also now buy official branded Defender Trophy merchandise, with a range of specially-designed items that capture the essence of the Defender Trophy experience – including items that will be used in the global final in 2026.
The collection includes a range of apparel including waterproof, lightweight insulated and hybrid jackets, hybrid gilets, long- and short-sleeve T-shirts, a snood, beanie hat and caps.
Durable and usable items include leak-proof YETI travel mugs and bottles, a water-resistant 21-litre backpack, a golf umbrella and even a windproof/waterproof three-person lightweight tent.
Rhino or lion soft toys with £7.50 from each sale donated to Tusk, and Defender Trophy Edition Icon models in Deep Sandglow Yellow or Keswick Green, complete the range.
Explore the full Defender Trophy Collection online at https://shop.landrover.com/defender/the-defender-collection.
